This article was in my town’s newspaper. It was about the Deerfield Pre-school, where I attended school. The pictures are of the students re-enacting the first Thanksgiving. The funny thing is that this is exactly what we talked about in class, two weeks ago, about how the first thanksgiving is not told correctly. I find it so shocking that this is a tradition at the pre-school, one which I participated in when I was a preschooler, which is not true at all. This is another part of history that is taught wrong to students. I was just wondering if anyone else participated in an event such as this, or remember learning information that we now know to be false
5 comments:
I dont think that I posted this correctly, but this is what was supposed to show up, and the attachment is the picture that goes along with it.
This article was in my town’s newspaper. It was about the Deerfield Pre-school, where I attended school. The pictures are of the students re-enacting the first Thanksgiving. The funny thing is that this is exactly what we talked about in class, two weeks ago, about how the first thanksgiving is not told correctly. I find it so shocking that this is a tradition at the pre-school, one which I participated in when I was a preschooler, which is not true at all. This is another part of history that is taught wrong to students. I was just wondering if anyone else participated in an event such as this, or remember learning information that we now know to be false
I could not help but feel guilty at Thanksgiving this year. Throughout the week I was telling people random facts about what really happened, how the Pilgrims really dressed, that this was not a great, happy feast nor a celebration between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. I almost wanted to bring a book or something to my family Thanksgiving so that I could teach my family about it.
In my elementary years, we ALWAYS celebrated the wrong Thanksgiving. In Kindergarten half of us dressed up as "Indians" and half of us were "Pilgrims". We wore either black and white with a hat, boots, and buckles; or we wore a headband with a feather, vests, and some sort of tan/suede looking clothing. Even in fourth grade I remember renting a black and white Pilgrim dress/bonnet from a costume shop to where to our 'feast'.
Also, last week when the Ag in the classroom speakers came to science, one of the books they passed around to show us was about Thanksgiving (mind you it was a very recent copyright date). I looked at Kelly R. who was sitting next to me and said, "Don't write this one down," and showed her the pages. Then she told me she already saw and we sort of laughed. It's funny--but not really.
I can relate to Ali. All throughout Thanksgiving break, I felt so guilty. I also was telling my mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and cousins what really happened and they did not believe me until I literally showed them the article. The made-up Thanksgiving was embedded in their heads that they did not want to accept the change. This was a big topic at the dinner table.
I also was taught in elementary school the made-up Thanksgiving story. Just like Ali, half of us were Indians and the other half were Pilgrims. This is still being taught today. I have a younger brother in 5th grade and as I was picking him up after school before break, I saw kindergarteners running towards their parents with Pilgrim hats and Indian feathers. It's the sad truth. Children are being taught something that isn't at all true.
I can relate as well. I remember having a "Thanksgiving Feast" and one memory that comes to mind is sitting in a circle making butter. I remember my teacher said that the pilgrims taught the Native Americans how to do this during Thanksgiving. Now knowing what we have discussed in class, I really doubt that this was true.
I also told my family about the first Thanksgiving and they really could not believe it. However, I feel that Thanksgiving does not have to be a tainted holiday. It can be used as an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and to be thankful for what you have in your life. The pilgrims and Native Americans can be left out of it. I feel that it has really become a commercialized holiday as it is, and that is one of the reasons why the story has become so skewed. I feel that it is important to teach students a more realistic version of what happened between the pilgrims and the Native Americans, but I do not feel that the holiday should be totally thrown out since there are some good values tied to the holiday (being thankful and time with family).
I guess I don't feel guilty because I feel holidays in America have lost almost all of their original meaning. On the 4th of July- do we celebrate independence or the ability to bbq and shoot off illegal fireworks? How many people have thought about how horrible the economy is and what they can't afford to buy for Christmas more often than religious meaning? How many people (like myself), celebrate holidays that don't even relate to their religion, citizenship, etc.? In my opinion, holidays are still around to give people a break from their stressful lives and provide motivation through the cold winter months. As Illinois residents, we can all appreciate how difficult it would be to make it through the winter if we couldn't look forward to the lights and celebrations.
Post a Comment